The Miami Hurricanes will look vastly different in August than they will in Saturday’s spring game in Orlando. Positions are not settled yet and some players will arrive in Coral Gables later this year.
Injuries and late arrivals have hindered the depth on the Miami Hurricanes this spring. Several positions have had to move players around to field a full team for practice and the scrimmages the last two Saturdays. Expect to see more players moving around during Saturday’s spring game in Orlando.
Miami’s linebacking corps has been limited this spring by injuries and late arrivals. Rising redshirt freshman Patrick Joyner has shown his versatility by being able to play defensive end and linebacker. He was recruited to Miami because of his versatility. Joyner is expected to see time primarily at LB in the spring game.
Rising redshirt sophomore backups Bradley Jennings and Waynmon Steed sustained injuries that have sidelined them for a significant part of spring practice. Miami was already without rising redshirt sophomore DeAndre Wilder. Wilder has been out for the entire spring. His career is in jeopardy after spinal surgery last season.
Rising seniors Shaq Quarterman and Michael Pinckney who are entering their fourth season as starters in 2019 have participated in more reps than expected this spring because of the lack of depth at linebacker. Striker Zach McCloud has also been out this spring.
Depth will be arriving this summer when Freshmen Samuel Brooks and Avery Huff enroll at the U. Co-Defensive coordinator Blake Baker told
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald
that they expect to play Brooks in the middle and Huff at weakside linebacker.
Baker was quoted by CaneSport that Joyner will see time at middle and weakside linebacker on Saturday.
"“He will probably play MIKE and WILL this Saturday…I think he can fill a role there for us.”"
Several Miami players have stepped up and had outstanding springs. Defensive tackle, safety and cornerback will go into the summer with starting spots open. Miami head coach Manny Diaz gave Jackson a list of six players, four on defense who have improved this spring.
We saw Patrick Joyner working with the LBs this morning. Manny Diaz says he’s unsure whether that move will be permanent — matter of seeing where numbers and depth are in the fall. But he’s available to play multiple positions and that’s part of why Joyner chose UM, per Diaz.
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) April 16, 2019
Three of those players should challenge to be starters in 2019 and bear watching on Saturday. Gilbert Frierson who moved from cornerback to striker will back up Zach McCloud and Romeo Finley. Defensive tackle Nesta Silvera, safety Gurvan Hall and cornerback D.J. Ivey are competing to be starters.
Silvera is the most talented player among the defensive tackles aiming to line up next to returning starter Pat Bethel on the interior of the Miami defensive line. Silvera began the spring on the third team defense but has since moved up. Jackson stated that Ivey has played the best of the young Miami corners over the last few weeks.
Baker agreed with Diaz and added that
and Tyreic Martin have also played well at defensive tackle. The only playing time Martin has received during his Miami career was last season’s win over Savannah State.
Miami Hurricanes Football
Baker is confident in the group that the Miami has on the interior of the defensive line. CaneSport quoted Baker about the Miami defensive tackles.
"“Pat Bethel has had a really solid spring, the big surprise to me out of that group – Jon Ford and Nesta (Silvera). Those two have had spectacular springs. Tyreic Martin is doing some good things inside. I think we have a solid group in there. They’ve been a pleasant surprise.”"
The secondary will be key for the Miami Hurricanes in 2019. Cornerback Trajan Bandy is the only returning starter. Two-year starters Michael Jackson at cornerback and Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine at safety. Baker was quoted by CaneSport discussing Ivey and Frierson’s progress.
"“I keep saying DJ Ivey is really starting to really show up, Gilbert Frierson is another one that’s maybe not a household name yet but those two are continuing to get better every single day,”"
The Miami Hurricanes are deep but young in the secondary. Ivey will be competing with his classmates, rising sophomore Nigel Bethel and Al Blades Jr to start opposite Bandy. Blades is the favorite. Four-star freshmen Te’Cory Crouch and Christian Williams will arrive this summer. The Miami pass defense was impenetrable in 2018.
The strength and experience of Miami’s defense in 2018 were in the secondary and linebacker. This year it will be at linebacker and defensive end. If the interior of the defensive line and secondary can continue to thrive the Hurricanes defense will continue to be one of the best in the nation.